Oxford County Democrats

News from Oxford County Democrats
For Immediate Release
Contact: Cathy Newell 875-2116

The Oxford County Democrats supported Charleen Chase and Bruce Rood, their candidates involved in recent recounts, by fielding teams for November 19 and 20. The team for the County Commissioner race for Charleen Chase consisted of  Attorney Frank Bishop Jr. of Portland, Tally crew Bruce Bryant of Dixfield and Connie Allen of South Paris, Runner Cathy Newell of Greenwood, Counters Lee Holman and Anita Pottle of Hartford, Del Leonard of Waterford, Lanette Bryant of Dixfield, Mary Therriault, and Mark Cafiso.  Technical assistance: Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick and Adam Cote of Portland.  The count did not change the outcome of the race that Chase narrowly lost to a 14-year incumbent, Steve Merrill.

The team for the Register of Probate race for Bruce Rood of Waterford consisted of Attorney John Jenness of South Paris, Tally crew: Roy Gedat of Norway and Marcia Pottle of Oxford, Runner Cathy Newell of Greenwood, Counters: Henry Stewart of Greenwood, Chris Pottle of Oxford, Marianne Stevens of Kingfield, Vice-chair of the Maine Democratic Party, Chrisso Rheault of New Gloucester, Treasurer of the Maine Democratic Party, Marc Malin, Nathan Libby, and Brandon Maheu, staffers from the Maine Coordinated Campaign and Patricia Baumhauf of Norway. Technical assistance: Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick and Bruce Bryant of Dixfield.  The recount did not change to outcome of the race that Rood won by more than 300 votes, over incumbent Tom Winsor.

A post-election party was held on Nov. 19 at the home of Stefi and Peter Hastings in Fryeburg for the volunteers associated with the southern Oxford County Democratic office with more than 50 attendees enjoying a potluck supper. Chris Hikel, a Fryeburg Academy senior and volunteer leader of the Fryeburg office effort received special recognition for his successful work. The election of Barack Obama was the cause of major rejoicing by the attendees, in addition to the election of Helen Rankin to the legislature in District 97 and Bruce Rood as Register of Probate and the excellent votes provided in the region for the entire Democratic ticket. More than 600 individuals volunteered for the Democrats at one of the four offices in Oxford County over that past 8 months and recognition gatherings are in the works for the offices in Norway, Rumford and Bethel.

The Oxford County Democrats will hold their organizational meeting in January to elect officers and plan for the 2010 election cycle. Details regarding location and date will be published in local press and on the web site, www.oxforddems.org. Anyone wishing to be added to the electronic newsletter distribution list should contact County Chair Cathy Newell at cathyn@megalink.net. The Oxford County Democrats also have a group on Facebook and welcomes new members interested in electing Democrats.

The recount for Commissioner District 1 will be on Wed. Nov. 19, starting at 9 AM at the Public Safety Building on Civic Center Drive in Augusta. It should last until 2.  Charleen Chase, the Democrat, trails Steve Merrill by 25 votes. We have most of the people needed but if you can help let Cathy know.

The recount in the Register of Probate race will be on Thursday, Nov. 20, starting at 9 AM at the Public Safety Building. We are still recruiting people to count at this one which may go for most of the day.

Please contact County Chair Cathy Newell, 357-7510, if you can volunteer to be a counter, or help with the computer tally.

There will be a recount in the County Commissioner District 1 race, where our candidate Charleen Chase is behind by 25 votes. In the Register of Probate race, the loser, Tom Winsor, has requested a recount as he is behind the winner Bruce Rood by 350 votes.  The recounts will take place in Augusta during the weeks prior to Turkey Day. When times are determined we will post them.

We are thrilled with the strong support our county gave Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as the rest of the Democratic slate on Tuesday.  And we are totally in awe of the fabulous outpouring of volunteer effort for our intense last week and Election Day. Literally hundreds of people pitched in to do the door-knocking, phone-calling, ride-giving, poll watching, absentees, provide food, staffed the offices and more.

Our Results:

Legislative: We re-elected Sen. Bruce Bryant, Rep. Terry Hayes, Rep. Sheryl Briggs, Rep. Larry Sirois, plus Helen Rankin in Southern Oxford, and Matt Peterson in Rumford area. Unfortunately Rep. Tim Carter was not re-elected, and Russ Newcomb, Lisa Villa, Jim Bradley, and Megan Crowford were not able to unseat their entrenched incumbent opponents.  We are so grateful for the hard work of all our candidates.

County Races: Bruce Rood won Register of Probate, Charleen Chase is behind by 29 votes for Commissioner and Paul Dumas by 700 for Judge of Probate out of 30,000 ballots. We will likely have recounts in those races. John Patrick lost his bid for Commissioner. We know how tough it is to unseat established incumbents and want to thank our candidates for waging such a battle.

Next Steps: We will have elections for County Committee officers in January, and will discuss our plans for a meeting schedule for 2009. Please e-mail cathyn@megalink.net if you would like to receive our regular e-mail updates.
Cathy Newell, Chair

Roy Gedat, Vice Chair

Mike Broderick, Treasurer